Antique Cleaver - Briddell 8" - T31

A Butcher Blade that moonlights at MOMA

This blade from “the Greatest Generation” features the distinctive design of its producer. We’re not the only ones to appreciate the powerful elegance of this tool- the Museum of Modern Art in NYC features a Briddell cleaver in its collection. But don’t let the fancy pedigree confuse you, this stout piece of steel was made strong enough to last long hours in WW2 mess kitchens.

From humble Blacksmith to blades for Uncle Sam

As a teenager, Charles Briddell turned his back on farming to become a blacksmith founding his company at the end of the 19th century with $1.50 he made from repairing a pair of oyster tongs. Located in Crisfield, Mass, Briddell was already a growing business when WW2 broke out, and the company answered the call and increased production to meet the needs of the war effort. In the postwar boom, Briddell was greatly responsible for popularizing fine steak knives to the American public.

Living Americana: Practical Artifacts from the Golden Age of Steel

At New West KnifeWorks, we cherish the tradition of knife-making even as we forge new paths of innovation. Our refurbished cleavers come from an era where extraordinary steel was extremely cheap. To make cleavers of this mass and quality of steel today would be prohibitively expensive to produce from scratch. But our makers search out these diamonds in the rough at old antique shows, flea markets or grandma’s garage, refurbishing the blades and handles to give them a new, improved life for the 21st Century.

Read more about our cleaver restoration process.